What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel

WTF Productions

A topical satirical comedy podcast about the baffling state of the world we’re currently living in

  • 59 minutes 41 seconds
    Ep 174 with Matt Forde (Part 1)

    Mark is joined by comedian, impressionist and political podcaster Matt Forde as they discuss surviving cancer together, how impressions really work, the psychology of politicians, Labour from Blair to Starmer, door-knocking and grassroots politics, media interviews that shut people down, and why humanising political opponents matters more than shouting at them.


    For tickets to Matt's upcoming shows go to www.mattforde.com


    You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on the higher tier of Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen or watch the whole interview straight away.


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  

    Follow Matt @Mattfordecomedy


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    19 January 2026, 5:03 am
  • 52 minutes 58 seconds
    Ep 173 with Johann Hari (Part 2)

    This week Mark continues his conversation with Johann. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.


    If you enjoyed the subjects doscussed today why not purchase “Stolen Focus” and “Lost connections” at www.Johannhari.com 


    Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! 

    ⁠https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod⁠ 


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  

    Follow Johann @johann.hari

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    12 January 2026, 4:27 am
  • 1 hour 12 minutes
    What The F Is Going On In Venezuela? 🇻🇪

    Mark is joined by writer and broadcaster Nick Revell as they discuss the US kidnapping of Venezuela’s president, Trump’s brazen use of power, Britain’s silence, the collapse of international law, historical imperialism from Latin America to Greenland, and what it means when the most powerful country in the world decides it can do whatever it wants.


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  

    Follow Nick @thenickrevell


    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    9 January 2026, 5:06 am
  • 1 hour 31 seconds
    Ep 173 with Johann Hari (Part 1)

    Mark is joined by journalist and author Johann Hari as they discuss loneliness and disconnection, why depression and addiction are rising, the limits of individual self-help, how social media and modern capitalism shape our mental health, the politics of attention, rebuilding community, and what it would actually take to fix what the fuck is going on in our heads.


    If you enjoyed the subjects doscussed today why not purchase “Stolen Focus” and “Lost connections” at www.Johannhari.com 


    You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on the higher tier of Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen or watch the whole interview straight away.


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  

    Follow Johann @johann.hari

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    5 January 2026, 4:57 am
  • 1 hour 6 minutes
    Ep 172 with Caroline Biggs

    Mark is joined by historian and author Caroline Biggs as they discuss Cambridge University’s forgotten history of imprisoning women, the extraordinary story behind The Spinning House, class privilege and power, how suspicion became guilt, and why the legacy of control and misogyny still echoes today.


    Order your copy of “The Spinning House” here: https://thehistorypress.co.uk/publication/the-spinning-house/


    You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on the higher tier of Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen or watch the whole interview straight away.


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    15 December 2025, 5:04 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    Ep 171 with Marcus Brigstocke (Part 2)

    This week Mark continues his conversation with Marcus Brigstocke. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.


    Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod⁠ 


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  


    Follow Marcus @Marcusbrigstocke

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    8 December 2025, 5:18 am
  • 1 hour 3 minutes
    Ep 171 with Marcus Brigstocke (Part 1)

    Mark is joined by comedian Marcus Brigstocke as they discuss growing up in privilege, being expelled from boarding school, addiction and recovery, how comedy shaped his politics, class and inequality in Britain – and what it means to stay hopeful while everything feels absurd.


    You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on the higher tier of Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen or watch the whole interview straight away.


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  


    Follow Marcus @Marcusbrigstocke

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    1 December 2025, 5:08 am
  • 41 minutes 50 seconds
    Ep 170 with Marina Purkiss & Jemma Forte (Part 2)

    This week Mark continues his conversation with Marina Purkiss and Jemma Forte. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.


    Please do check out Marina and Jemma’s podcast “the trawl” available on all platforms!


    Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod⁠ 


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    24 November 2025, 5:18 am
  • 40 minutes 29 seconds
    Ep 170 with Marina Purkiss & Jemma Forte (Part 1)

    Mark is joined by Marina Purkiss and Jemma Forte — the outspoken hosts of The Trawl — to talk about the state of British politics, why humour is a vital weapon against despair, and how compassion got lost in the shouting. They discuss Labour’s moral drift, the Green Party’s rise, and what it means to stay human in a political landscape fuelled by fear. Expect sharp wit, rage, and even a baked potato scandal involving Prince Andrew.


    Please do check out Marina and Jemma’s podcast “the trawl” available on all platforms!


    You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on the higher tier of Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen or watch the whole interview straight away.


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    17 November 2025, 5:08 am
  • 49 minutes 3 seconds
    Ep 169 with Andrew Fisher (Part 2)

    This week Mark continues his conversation with Andrew Fisher. If you haven't heard the first part then do go back and listen now but for the rest of you here is the second half of the interview.


    Want to get access to the full video interview before anyone else? why not join us on Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen to the whole interview straight away – and you'll also be able to watch it! ⁠https://www.patreon.com/wtfisgoingonpod⁠ 


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    10 November 2025, 5:26 am
  • 46 minutes 13 seconds
    EP 169 with Andrew Fisher (Part 1)

    Mark is joined by writer and former Labour policy chief Andrew Fisher as they discuss life after Westminster, the realities of drafting a manifesto, Labour’s internal battles, the legacy of Corbynism, the future of the left under Starmer, and why real political change begins in communities — not committee rooms


    You can hear the second part of the interview in next week's episode – but if you can't wait, why not join us on the higher tier of Patreon? For £4 a month you can listen or watch the whole interview straight away.


    For media, press & guest enquiries please email [email protected]


    Follow What The F*** Is Going On? with Mark Steel on Twitter @wtfisgoingonpod 


    Follow Mark Steel @mrmarksteel  

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    3 November 2025, 5:25 am
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